NATIONAL INTEL SCIENCE COMPETITION

NATIONAL INTEL SCIENCE COMPETITION

AS IF THE BELLMORE-MERRICK SCHOOL DISTRICT didn't already have enough to be proud of, yesterday they captured 5 of the 300 semifinalist slots in this prestigious, pre-college science contest that began in 1942.

They are in alphabetical order:

Asia Brown

Brett Gossett

Ross Iscowitz

Ross Shulman

Bilal Siddiqui

There were 61 students who placed from various Long Island schools and a total of 105 student researchers who came from all over New York State, making it #1 in the nation in total number of semifinalists followed by California, which had 41.

The Intel Science Competition, formerly known as the Westinghouse contest, is funded by a computer-chip company in California known as Intel Corp. Each semifinalist and his corresponding high school wins $1,000 and a chance to compete nationally for the top prize of $100,000. They are judged by a national jury of professional scientists.

Participants are encouraged to pursue and focus on original science research in the math, engineering or medical fields. Former entrants have made considerable and noteworthy contributions to these fields and have gone on to become recipients of 7 Nobel Prizes and other distinguished awards.

On January 25th, 40 finalists will be named and each will receive a prize of $7,500 if not named to the top ten. Mid-March, the top 10 national winners will be announced in Washington, D.C. in an expense-paid trip. They are vying for 1.25 million in awards.

One high-school student receiving and particularly deserving of extra attention is Samantha Garvey, 17, of Brentwood, Long Island. While dealing with unimaginable stress resulting from hard times that have befallen her family and left them with no home to call their own, she still managed to attend to her educational obligations and perform magnificently in this competition. With the maturity, persistence and single-mindedness that she displays in reaching her goals, she brings hope to anyone that has ever struggled.

BEST OF LUCK TO ALL INTEL SCIENCE COMPETITION SEMIFINALISTS!